National Coast Guard Museum raises $100,000 for new museum

Published June 24. 2013 12:01AM

New London — The National Coast Guard Museum Association raised $100,000 for the new National Coast Guard Museum in downtown New London.

The associated achieved its initial goal less than 15 days into a 100-day local fundraising campaign called the "First 100," which was launched on June 1 to generate initial funds for the programming, development and marketing of the new museum.

Donald A. Kimball, a retired World War II Coast Guard veteran from Stonington, was the 100th donor, according to the association. Kimball donated to the museum in memory of this grandfather, Albert Kimball, a skipper of a three-mast vessel in 1918.

"The response to our First 100 campaign has been phenomenal," John Johnson, the association's treasurer, said in a statement. "People are eager to help and get involved. It's been humbling to see the support. We hope to build on this initial outreach and announce the next phase of our fundraising efforts very shortly."